Dec 1

It's the first day of Advent and I want to decorate for Christmas!!

Here are some links lately ...

I would like this as a faux headboard

researching Made in USA items, including yarn, yarn, yarn, yarn, yarn and yarn

thinking about business cards ...anyone know of a good source / price / etc.?

top 20 ingredient substitutions

... and photos from today.

 hot chocolate in a Eshelman Pottery mug and my notes for my Studio 1017's coming year

the brick edging for flower beds, courtesy of construction discards, source undisclosed.

thoughts on thanksgiving weekend

 

I have so much to be thankful for this year. It was a wonderful year, all things considered, with health, jobs, artmaking, faith, and the support of family and friends. My husband and I each entered the Rock n Roll Craft Show, going on this weekend (!) and are making finishing touches on homemade Christmas gifts - surprises since family reads this blog. 

Two weeks ago, a tornado destroyed my in laws' home and we are thankful that no one was home or hurt. The family came together to help and friends showed an unbelievable amount of support in a difficult and emotional situation. Any prayers or kind thoughts you have are appreciated.  

Now that Thanksgiving is past, I am ready to start thinking about the Advent season with Christmas to follow.  The photos are from a September trip to Garden of the Gods State Park in Southern Illinois.

tonight, in preparation

Listening to my music, alphabetically for songs -- 

Horn Intro by Dirty Dozen (Modest Mouse) - (reminds me of NCDM - hallmate in college)

Money for Nothing by Dire Straights

Sultans of Swing by Dire Straights * a favorite

a mixture of Diana Ross

then on my way through Dave Matthews Band

 

above photo: Loop Scarf 6

below: SL Scarf  3

I have been making tags, assigning prices, taking photographs, organizing, making lists, getting everything straight.

below: Loop Scarf 3

Because...

 

below: SL Scarf 6

I have An Announcement:

I applied and was accepted to sell my crocheted hats, scarves, blankets, cuff/cupholders, and earwarmers at this years', the 10th Rock n Roll Craft Show in St. Louis. 

You can find me under Studio1017.

below: SL Scarf 2

I am beyond excited!!

below: the stack of goods in the yard on photograph day

I also have created an Etsy site and a BigCartel site, linked here, though they will be down beginning this week so that I may send my work to RRCS. The reminder of the unsold work will be posted to Etsy and BigCartel the first week in December for your viewing pleasure.

All of these beautiful pieces are crocheted by me, by hand, in my smoke and pet free home. I generally use wool and cotton, with the occasional alpaca or acrylic blend yarn. My pieces are full of color and very durable and warm, making the perfect cool-weather style accessory.

below: wrist cuff/cupholder

My husband applied and was accepted, also, for his handmade birdhouses from reclaimed vintage wood. He calls himself Re-Bird.  Below is a birdhouse from his 'Americana' Series. They are very durable and the highlight of any garden tour.

10,072

I passed 10,000 pageviews!! 

I have been blogging since February 2008, nearly 6 years. 

What a surprise :)

Thank you dear readers.

Seattle, late June

 Pike Place Market, truly larger than life. I think I visited almost daily. At the end of June, so much is in season-- I bought fresh cherries, raspberries, apples, peaches. Cappuccinos, a scarf, lip balm, gooseberry jam. A crepe, a juice, mini donuts. Probably some more, that I forgot.

 The Original Starbucks, for my dad. Yes, the mermaid is not wearing a shirt.

Of Puget Sound. From the Space Needle, I believe. The clouds were remarkable that day - such depth, patterns, puffiness (a word?), movement, light and shadow -- chiaroscuro. 

Here in STL on 1 November, it seems like the peak of fall color - reds, golds, yellows just glowing in the rays of the sun we had today, after two full days of fog, clouds and rain. I will take some photos of the beauty of it all.

Vancouver

My sister and I explored Vancouver BC for 3 days on foot. It was cool, overcast weather, perfect for late June. We ate good food, took lots of photos, enjoyed the scenery, laughed at the ways Canadians are laid back, and enjoyed fresh air and live music. Now that I am experiencing fall here in St. Louis, the burst of bright green of a more temperate season brings me right back. I would definitely like to return to Vancouver someday.

pictures from july

 I know they are a little late, but who can resist these animal faces?

 They eagerly age up the apples the staff at Windcrest Dairy gave me to feed them.

 This baby was just a few weeks old.

 I love the colors of summer.

 Fennel at sunset.

I am still going through my photos from summer - though it is pumpkin carving season now, it is nice to look back at all the colors and images of summer. We had a terrific summer - warm, even hot, but not hot-hot 100* like last summer. It was the best summer for tomatoes, zucchini, and figs (from our neighbor), and just about everything else.

Cardinals' 2013

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have won the NLDS again, and will play the LA Dodgers for the 2013 NL Pennant. I don't mind several late nights as I stay up to listen to the game. It is such an exhilarating feeling when the local team succeeds!! 

Some Cardinals links:

Past Memorable Post-Season Moments

Best Fans in Baseball

Go Cards!!

Capilano

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park - Vancouver

The bridge is over the Capilano River Gorge. 

One of the most terrifying and exhilarating experiences I have had. We paid admission and then came across the opening to the bridge. No guards, no line, just walk on. It naturally swayed and moved, bounced and I took the very last picture as I was crossing-hence the blurry quality. My sister has a photo of me on the bridge with a completely white face. I was focused on crossing in one piece! 

The smell of fresh air, pine trees and the sound of birds was overwhelming and amazing.